Fire extinguishers are intended to extinguish incipient fires. But anyone who thinks that any fire can be extinguished with any fire extinguisher is wrong. If you want to keep your environment fire-safe, you need a fire extinguisher that is suitable for extinguishing fires that can occur at your location. But which fire extinguisher is that? In this article we explain the different fire classes and which extinguishers belong to them. We also answer a number of frequently asked questions.
Tip: Do you want to know which fire extinguishers exist? We previously gave an overview of the different types of fire extinguishers .
Which fire extinguisher for which fire class?
Every fire requires a different way of extinguishing. Fires are categorized into different fire classes (fire class A to F) based on the flammable materials present. If you do not use the correct fire extinguisher, it can cause damage to materials or worsen the fire. To prevent this, each extinguisher indicates which fire class it is suitable for. This way you can find out exactly which fire extinguisher is best for your situation.
Fire class A
In a fire with fire class A, solids burn, such as: wood, paper, textiles and furniture. A fire in this category can best be extinguished with a powder extinguisher or foam extinguisher .
Fire class B
This is a fire with liquid substances, such as: oil, petrol, grease and acetone. For these fires it is best to use a powder extinguisher , foam extinguisher or CO2 fire extinguisher .
Fire class C
In fire class C, there is a fire with different types of gases. Think of propane, natural gas or LPG. Is there a chance of a fire of fire class C in your area? Then use a powder extinguisher .
Fire class D
Fire class D is a fire with flammable metals. These are metals such as magnesium and aluminum. A powder extinguisher is most suitable for extinguishing metal fires.
Fire class E
Fire class E is no longer an official class in the Netherlands. Originally, it was about fires in live equipment, or electrical fires. The class has been dropped, because electricity is the cause of the fire, but does not burn itself.
Fire class F
Are cooking oils or (frying) fats burning? Then this is a fire with fire class F. These fires are best extinguished with a special fat extinguisher or an ABF foam extinguisher .
Frequently asked questions about which fire extinguisher per situation
Which fire classes occur in which situations? To clarify this, we will answer a number of frequently asked questions below.
Which fire extinguisher for electricity?
When extinguishing an electrical fire, you use a foam extinguisher or a CO2 fire extinguisher . These extinguishers do not cause collateral damage. An electrical fire involves live equipment. Because electronic devices are often made of plastics and other solid materials, an electrical fire is classified as fire class A and sometimes fire class B.
Which fire extinguisher for home?
For extinguishing a fire in the house, we recommend a compact foam extinguisher or a small fire extinguisher spray can . These extinguishing agents can extinguish the most common starting fires. In addition, a fire blanket offers a solution. Short circuit, a flash fire in the kitchen, the use of the wrong firewood or a falling candle. A house fire can have various causes. In addition, there are various flammable materials present in a house.
Which fire extinguisher in the camper?
To extinguish a fire in the camper, we recommend a small extinguishing agent that you can reach immediately, such as a foam extinguisher or powder extinguisher with at least 1 liter of content. Do you regularly go on the road with the camper? Please note that in some countries a fire extinguisher is mandatory. Not only can a fire in a camper be caused by overdue maintenance or by gas (fire class C), an accident on the road can also be the cause of a fire. A fire extinguisher can then save lives.
Which fire extinguisher in the car?
For a fire extinguisher in the car, we recommend using a handy foam extinguisher. A powder extinguisher can cause quite a lot of damage to your car. Just like in a camper, a fire in the car can be caused by an accident. But a short circuit or leaking fluids can also be the cause of a car fire. Because a car contains many flammable materials (think of petrol, cables and tyres), powder extinguishers and foam extinguishers are the most logical solutions.
Which fire extinguisher for the boat?
For the fire extinguisher on a boat, it is best to use a foam extinguisher, a powder extinguisher or a CO2 extinguisher. Fire in a boat is usually caused by a short circuit or overheating. In addition to fuel and oil, wood is one of the most flammable materials on a boat. Also known as fires from fire class A and B.
Which fire extinguisher to buy? View our range!
Do you know exactly which fire extinguisher you need and do you want to buy a fire extinguisher that suits your situation? ESE International has a suitable extinguisher for every fire class. These fire extinguishers are of high quality and are supplied for an affordable price. View our range in the webshop. Here you will immediately find our other products that increase fire safety in your home or building, such as a smoke detector or fire blanket .
If you have any questions about the different types of fire extinguishers after reading this article, please feel free to contact our specialists.